Why is Penguins' Cooke interested in Don Brennan's package?

Pittsburgh Penguins' Robert Bortuzzo (41) swats at a loose puck while Ottawa Senators' Milan Michalek (9) keeps his eye on it during the first period of NHL hockey action at Scotiabank Place Monday, April 22, 2013. (Darren Brown/QMI Agency)

He was focused on that night's game against the Senators. He was focused on helping the Penguins track down the Blackhawks in the overall standings. He was focused on his job as a penalty killer and pest.

Then, after practice, he was focused on the humongous media scrum around his stall in the dressing room.

And he was focused on my package.

Cooke must have read the Ottawa Sun on his way to the rink because something in it clearly had him rattled. And I'm still not sure which part.

After listening to Cooke answer questions about the Feb. 13 incident in which his skate sliced 70% of the way through Erik Karlsson's Achilles tendon, I went to speak with other players in the room about different matters. Like every other reporter there. On the way out, I found Cooke waiting to have a word in private with me.

He wanted to tell me I have no balls. At first I think he said "small balls."